California receives $179 million for passenger rail network

Written by jrood

California will receive $179 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to continue building a statewide passenger-rail network with both high-speed and intercity service. Funding will kick start several major projects throughout the state, including the construction of new tracks, the purchase of next-generation trains and the installation of high-tech signaling systems. Through federal investments and voter-approved state investments, California is laying the groundwork for the nation's first 220 mph high-speed rail system that will deliver sub-two hour trip times between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. The rail dollars will also be used to improve existing intercity service throughout the state, including the acquisition of new trains. "With 20 million more people expected to be in California within the next 40 years, we can't build enough highways and airport runways to accommodate the demand," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. "Passenger rail will play a much greater role in how Californians move throughout the state to ensure California's economy keeps moving forward." The California High-Speed Rail Authority will receive $86.4 million for the Central Valley high-speed rail project, extending the current 110 mile segment an additional 20 miles to Merced and Bakersfield, Calif., advancing completion of the backbone of the Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor. The California Department of Transportation will receive $68 million for new trains servicing intercity routes. The funding is part of a multi-state procurement between California, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Washington State to pool resources, maximizing the purchase of next-generation American-made trains. The money will contribute to the purchase of six new locomotives and forty new passenger cars. More than $24.9 million was awarded to Caltrans for the installation of positive train control between San Onofre and San Diego, Calif. This signaling system will increase railroad safety and efficiency by monitoring and controlling train movements.  

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